The Lawrence Goldfinch 



Distribution in California. — Of very local occurrence in summer west of the 

 Sierras, perhaps chiefly in the southwestern coast districts, but also north through 

 Great Valley to McCloud River, in Shasta County (Grinnell) and east to Weldon, 

 Kern Co. (Grinnell), Raymond, Madera Co. (Grinnell), and Oroville, Butte Co. 

 (July 18, 1912); breeding chiefly in Upper Sonoran life zone; perhaps casual breeder 

 in Lower Sonoran (Indian Wells, Colorado Desert, April 27, 1917). Perhaps casual 

 on Catalina Island, but a regular breeder on Santa Cruz Island. Winters irregularly 

 in San Diego district and east of the desert divide to the Colorado River. 



Authorities. — Cassin, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1850, p. 105, pi. v. (orig. 

 desc); Heermann, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., ser. 2. vol. ii., 1853, p. 266 (nest and 

 eggs); Henshaw, Rept. Orn. Wheeler Surv., 1876, p. 239 (meas.) ; Belding, Occ. Papers, 

 Calif. Acad. Sci., 2, 1890, pp. 138-139 (range); Willett, Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 7, 

 1912, p. 75 (status in so. Calif.); Tyler, Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 9, 1913, pp. 76-77 

 (status in Fresno district). 



IN STRIKING contrast with the almost infallible uniformity of 

 distribution enjoyed by Cousin Psaltria, is the highly irregular and freakish 

 disposition of lawrencei. Its breeding areas, though perhaps not incon- 

 stant, are exceedingly circumscribed, and its sporadic appearances in 

 other than breeding areas give the impression of a very unstable bird. 

 Doubtless it would be interesting to plot the breeding range of this species, 



Taken in San Diego County 



Photo by Donald R. Dickey 



LAWRENCE GOLDFINCH IN CYPRESS TREE 



198 



